Photo: Lightmetro · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Clayton as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #76 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Clayton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clayton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Clayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clayton, and Clayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #76 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clayton’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Clayton has less expected damage per building than 70% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.3M a year in losses across Clayton: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clayton flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clayton, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike9 claims · $136K
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $28K
- The Late July Flooding3 claims · $54K
Clayton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clayton
Disasters that paid out in Clayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$2.6M to the City of Clayton for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$39K to the City of Clayton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado7 households applied for aid$22K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$52K to the City of Clayton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$54K to the City of Clayton for repairs
St. Louis County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Clayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clayton archive →Clayton and its neighbors
Clayton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Richmond Heights | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ladue | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| University City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 510 |
| St. Louis | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 494 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Clayton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clayton
Is Clayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #76 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Clayton since 1978, $270K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (9).
Is Clayton in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In St. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clayton’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Clayton?
By FEMA money that reached Clayton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 8 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $2.6M to the City of Clayton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 9 paid, $136K.
Is Clayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Clayton’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clayton’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.